Connector



Jan. 18, 1944. F. M. KRATovlLLE CONNECTOR Filed Dec. 7, 1942 2Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTOEWEV Jan. 18, 1844. F. M. KRAQwLLE 2,888,488

CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. '7, 1942 A'TOENEV Patented Jan.18, 1944 CONNECTOR Frank M. Kratovllle, St. Louis. Mo.. assigner toJames B.. Kearney Corporation, Bt. Louis, Mo.,

a corporation of Missouri Application December 7, 1942, Serial No.468,055 6 Claims. (Cl. 281-75) This invention relates generally toconnectors and more specifically to connectors of the type adapted foruse in mechanically and electrically .connecting stranded cables, thepredominant object of the invention being to provide an improvedconnector of this type which is of extremely simple construction andarrangement and which is capable of performing its intended functioninahighly eillcientmanner.

Fig. l is a side elevation of the improved connector shown inassociation with a pair of cables.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the conhector assembly shown inFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modiiied form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the connector assemblyillustrated by Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of still another modied form of the invention.

Fig. '1 is a side elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on line I-I of Fig, 8.

In the drawings, wherein are shown for the purposes of illustration,merely, several embodiments of the invention, A designates generally theimproved connector illustrated in F188. I. 2. and 3. The connector Aincludes a body member i comprising an elongated structure havingopposed. cylindrical portions 2 and 2' which are externallyscrewthreaded and the inner openings of which are divided by a solid.integral wall 3 (Fig. 2) that is located at the approximate longitudinalcenter of the body member. The body member l includes also an outwardlyprojected integral extension l oi polygonal formation which is locatedat the approximate longitudinal center of the body member and serves toreceive a wrench, or other suitable tool. when a pair of cables arebeing connected with the aid of the connector. It is to be noted thatthe inner faces of the walls of the opposed. cylindrical portions I and2' are straight, in that they`are parallel with the axis of the bodymember, and also that the opposite side faces of the solid wall 3 provide abutments which serve as closures for the openings within theopposed, cylindrical portions I and I' at the inner ends thereof, saidopenings being open at the outer ends of the respective opposed,cylindrical portions 2 and l'.

Included as parts of the completely assembled connector A are pairs oi'wedge elements l and 6, each comprising two elongated elements ofsemicircular cross-sectional shape. as is shown to good advantage inFigs. 2 and 3. The walls of the elements of each pair of wedge elementsare of tapering thicknesses throughout the greater part of the lengththereof; that is to say. the walls of said elements taper from points oftheir greatest thickness located inwardly of certain and correspondingends of the elements to substantially reduce thickness at the oppositeends thereof. Because of the tapering thicknesses of the walls of pairsof elements 5 and 6 each pair thereof, when assembled, provides alongitudinally split tapered tube, the mated sections of which arespaced apart slightly.

At the inner face of the wall oi each element of the pairs of wedgeelementsy 5 and 8 a pair of inwardly extended ribs 1 and 8 are formedthereon. These ribs 'I and I are formed integrally with the wedgeelement with which they are associated, the rib 'i of each wedge elementbeing located at the end of the element where the wall thereof is ofreduced thickness. and the rib 8 being located inwardly of the end ofthe element at which the wall thereof is of greater thickness. The ribsl and l of each wedge element are o! semlcircular formation. and theribs of a pair of associated wedge elements are correspondingly locatedso that the ribs oi each of a pair of associated wedge elements areannular continuations of the ribs of the other of the associated pair o!wedge elements. Between the ribs 1 and I of each of the wedge elementssaid element is provided with a semieircular cavity i and, also. betweenthe rib l ci each wedge element and the adjacent end of the element asemicircular cavity III is provided (Fig. 2)

Forming parts of the connector A illustrated in Figs. l, 2, and 8, is apair of nuts Il and i2 which are adapted to be screwed inwardly on theexteriorly screwthreaded cylindrical portions 2 and rI', respectively.Each oi' the nuts Ii and i2 is provided with an end wall I3 throughwhich an opening I4 is formed. the wall of said opening il being adaptedto engage the tapered outer surfaces of a pair of wedge elements i and Iin a manner and for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

In connecting a pair of cables with the aid of the improved connector Aiilustratedln Figs. l, 2. and 3. the nuts Il and I2 are passed inwardlyof the pair of cables to be connected, the cables being extended throughthe openings il of the nuts and such cables being designated in thedrawings by the reference characters Ca and Cb. A mated pair oi' thewedgeelements l or l is then applied to the end portion of each cable sothat the associated pair oi wedge elements embrace the end portion otthe cable to provide same with a tapered and longitudinally split tubular structure. 'I'he operator squeezes or 4presses the pair or wedgeelements oi each cable end toward each other by hand sumciently topermit the mated wedge elements. with the cable end Dortiontherebetween. to be introduced into the opening oi' the appropriatecylindrical portion l or 2' of the body member I oi the connector. Thenuts ii and Il are then moved into engagement with the externallyscrewthreaded cylindrical portions 2 and 2' and are screwed inwardlythereon. As the nuts li and il are screwed inwardly on the 'externallyscrewthreaded cylindrical portions 2 and l'. the walls of the openingsil oi said nuts engage the tapered surfaces of the paired wedge elementsl and l and cam said paired wedge elements toward each other so as tocompress the end portions oi' the cables therebetween. As a result ofthe application of compressive iorce to the pairs of wedge elements bythe walls ot the openings Il oi the nuts li and I! concentration oi'uniform, high pressure line contact is obtained between the ribs l and lof the wedge elements and the cables with the result that said cablesare very securely gripped between the pairs oi' wedge elements. Also,because oi' the presence ci the cavities l and il between the ribs l andl and at ends o! the wedge elements. the application oi compressiveforce to the cables at the locations of the ribs will cause portions ofthe cables to spread outwardly into said cavities, as shown in Fig. 2,with the result that a mechanical locking action is obtained between thewedge elements and the cables which eiIectively aids the inward pressureat the ribs 'l and l in resisting stresses which might tend to pull thecables longitudinally from between the wedge elements.

It is important to note that the cavities il, which are located betweenthe ribs l and the adjacent ends oi the wedge elements,`serve tofacilitate convenient assembly of the wedge elements l and l with thecable ends. This result i'ollows from the fact that the extreme endportions oi' the cables are usually slightly spread, or mushroomed. dueto the cutting of the cables. and these spread or mushroomed endportions may be disposed in the cavities il without any necessity thatthey be compressed or reformed as would be the case il the cavities ilwere not provided.

In Fiss. 4 and 6 the invention is illustrated as providing means forconnecting an insulated cable Cc to a terminal lug Il. In accordancewith this form of the invention the terminal lug il is provided with ano il which receives a pair oi wedge elements I1. ot the constructionpreviouslydcsorlbedheremwithanendportionotthe cable disposedtherebetween, said cable end portionhaving the insulation Itrlplledtherefrom. The terminal lug ills provided with an externallyscrewthreaded portion which receives a nutV il made in accordance withthe nuts Il and il oi' Fiss. 1 and.2.thewallofthcopening ilotsaid nutensuing the tapered suriaces oi the wedge elements l'l when said nut isscrewed inwardly on thoscrewihreadcdportion'oitheterminallugto compressthe wedge elements onto the cable end andtherebysecurelyconnectthscabletothetermina! 'lug in the mannerpreviously explained h cooperatively associated with a connector o! thewell known split-bolt type to provide a unitary connector structureadapted to make a Ttype connection between conductors. The structure ofFigs. il. 7. 8 and 9, includes a body member 2li which is biiurcated inits upper portion to provide a pair of spaced, opstanding legs il whichare shaped in cross-section as shown in Fig. 6 and are provided withscrewthreads on their outer curved i'aces. The space between the spacedlegs Il is shaped at its lower end to provide a conductor seat 22. andassociated with the body member 2l is a follower 2! which includes aportion Il which is movable vertically within the space between the legs2i and is provided with a conductor seat 24'. The follower 28 includes ahorizontally disposed portion 25 which is providedl with openings 2lthrough which the legs li extend, and screwthreadedl y mounted on thescrewthreaded legs 2i and arranged in Contact with the washer portion 2iis a nut 2l. The follower 2l is provided at its upper end with lugs 28which overhang the nut 2l, said nut being rotatable between the washerportion 2l and the lugs 28 and with respect to the spaced legs 2i andthe portion 24 of the follower Il disposed between said spaced legs.

The lower portion oi the body member lil or the connector structureshown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, is externally screwthreaded, as shown at2l in the Figs. l and 8, and said lowen portion oi said body member hasan open-bottom opening 3D formed therein. The opening ll receives a pairoi wedge elements l i. of the type illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 andpreviously described in detail herein. which wedge elements are arrangedin embracing relation with respect to an end portion oi an insulatedcable Cd, said end portion of said cable having the insulation strippedtherefrom. The connector structure sho in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, includesalso a nut l2 which is similar in construction to the nuts ii and ilwhich iorm parts oi the connector illustrated in Figs. i, 2, and 3. saidnut being screwthreadedly mounted on the screwthreaded Portion Il oi thebody member 20 and having a wall ll through which an opening ll isformed. the wall of which opening engages the tapered surfaces ci thewedge elements ll to torce said Wedge elements toward each other to triptherebetween the end portion oi' the conductor Cd when said nut isscrewed upwardly on the screwthreaded portion ll of the body member 2las has been previously explained herein.

The connector structure illustrated in Figs. 6, '1, 8, and 9, may beapplied to an overhead, or other conductor, Ce by removing the nut andiollower assembly and passing the body member 2l into assembled relationwith respect to the conductor, in which relation the spaced legs willsti-addio the conductor and said conductor will engage the conductorseat Il. The nut and iollower assembly is then ris-applied to the bodymember. the nut ll being screwed downwardly on the spaced leas ll untilthe conductor seat 24' oi' the follower engages the conductor and clampssaid conductor between the conductor seat l! of the body member and theconductor seat 24' ot the follower.

I claim:

l. Aconnectoroompnsing abodymemberhaving an externally screwthreadedportion in which a smooth-walled openingis formed. said openin; beingoi' substantially constant diameter throuahout its im `and beingprovided at-its inner m nu. s. 1. s. ma e. the present invention ui uand with a merendine m abnimmt. a plm-a1- 4movement of said ity ci wedgeelements oi' arcuate cross-sectional shape and provided with taperedsurface portions, said wedge elements being adapted to be arranged inassembled embracing relation with respect to an end portion of aconductor and the end portion of the conductor and the wedge elementsassembled with respect thereto being adapted to be introduced into saidopening of said body member with the inner ends or the wedge elements incontact engagement with said inner wall oi said opening, and a nutscrewthreadedly mounted on the externally screwy threaded end portion o!said body member, said nut being provided with a wall portion having anopening formed therethrough through which said wedge elements extend,and the wall oi' said opening being adapted to engage the taperedsurface portions of said wedge elements when the nut is screwed inwardlywith `respect to the screwthreaded end portion of said body member in amanner to force said wedge elements into tight gripping contact with theconductor end portion located therebetween, longitudinal movement oisaid wedge elements relative to said opening of said body member beingprevented during inward nut because of their contact with the inner wallof said opening.

2. A connector comprising a body member having an externallyscrewthreaded portion in which a smooth-walled opening is formed, saidopening being of substantially constant diameterthroughout its lengthand being provided at its inner end with a wall providing an abutment, aplurality of wedge elements oi arcuate cross-sectional shape andprovided with tapered surface portions, raised portions formed on theinner laces of said wedge elements, said wedge elements being adapted tobe arranged in assembled embracing relation with respect to an endportion of a conductor and the end portion of the conductor and thewedge elements assembled with respect thereto being adapted to beintroduced into said body member with the inner ends of the wedgeelements in contact engagement with said inner wall oi said opening, anda nut screwthreadedly mounted on the externally screwthreaded endportion of said body member, said nut being provided with a wall portionhaving an opening formed therethrough through which said wedge elementsextend, and the wall of said opening being adapted to engage the taperedsurface portions of said wedge elements when the nut is screwed inwardlywith respect to the screwthreaded end portion of said body member in amanner to force the raised portions of said wedge elements into tightgripping contact with the conductor end portion located therebetween,longitudinal movement ci said wedge elements relative to said opening ofsaid body member being prevented during inward movement of said nutbecause of their contact with the inner wall of said opening.

3. A connector comprising a body member having an externallyscrewthreaded portion in which a smooth-walled opening is formed, saidopening being oi substantially constant diameter throughout its lengthand being provided at its inner end with a wall providing an abutment. aplurality oi wedge elements of arcuate cross-sectional shape andprovided with tapered surface portions, pairs of ribs formed on theinner faces ot said wedge elements in such manner that cavities areprovided at said inner faces of said wedge elements adjacent to saidribs. said wedge elements being adapted to be arranged in assembledembracing relation with respect to an end portion of a conductor and theend portion of the conductor and the wedge elements assembled withrespect thereto being adapted to be introduced into said opening of saidbody member with the inner ends oi' the wedge elements in contactengagement with said inner wall of said opening, and a nutscrewthreadedly mounted on the externally screwthreaded end portion oi.'said body member, said nut being provided with a wall portion having anopening formed therethrough through which said wedge elements extend,and the wall oi said opening being adapted to engage the tapered surfaceportions of said wedge elements when the nut is screwed inwardly withrespect to the screwthreaded end portion or said body member in a.manner to force the pairs of ribs of said wedge elements into tightgripping contact with' the conductor end portion located therebetweenand spread parts of said conductor end portion into said cavities,longitudinal movement of said wedge elements relative to said opening ofsaid body member being prevented during inward movement of said nutbecause of their contact with the inner wall of said opening.

4. A connector comprising a body member ha'ving an externallyscrewthreaded portion in which a smooth-walled opening is formed, saidopening bein-g ci substantially constant diameter throughout its lengthand being provided at its inner end with a wall providing an abutment, aplurality of wedge elements oi arcuate cross-sectional shape andprovided with tapered surface portions, a pair of ribs formed on theinner face of each of said wedge elements in such manner that a cavityis provided at said inner face between said pair oi ribs and a similarcavity is provided at said inner face between one of the ribs and anadjacent end of the wedge element. said wedge elements being Vadapted tobe arranged in assembled embracing relation with respect to an endportion of a conductor and the end portion of the conductor and thewedge elements assembled with respect thereto being adapted to beintroduced into said opening oi' said body member with the inner ends ofthe wedge elements in contact engagement with said inner wall of saidopening, and a nut screwthreadedly mounted on the externallyscrewthreaded end portion of said body member, said nut being providedwith a wall portion having an opening formed therethrough through whichsaid wedge elements extend, and the wall of said opening being adaptedto engage the tapered surface portions of said wedge elements when thenut is screwed inwardly with respect to the screwthreaded end portion orsaid body member in a manner to force the ribs ci said wedge elementsinto tight gripping contact with the conductor end portion locatedtherebetween and spread parts of said conductor end portion into saidcavities. longitudinal movement of said wedge elements relative to saidopening of said body member being prevented during inward movement ofsaid nut because of their contact with the inner wall oi said opening.

5. A connector comprising a body member having Va pair of opposedexternally screwthreaded end portions in which openings having smoothwalls are formed, said openings respectively being of substantiallyconstant diameters throughout their lengths and being separated by awall therebetween at the inner ends ot said openings, pairs of wedgeelements o! arcuate cross-sectional shape and provided with taperedsurface portions. a pair oi said wedge elements being adapted to bearranged in assembled embracing relation with respect to an end portionof each of a pair ot conductors and said end portions of said conductorsand the pairs of wedge elements assembled therewith being adapted to beintroduced respectively into the openings of the opposed externallyscrewthreaded end portions of said body member with the inner ends ofsaid pairs of wedge elements in contact engagement with the oppositefaces of the wall between said openings, and nuts screwthreadedlymounted on the opposed externally screwthreaded end portions of saidbody member, said nuts being provided with wall portions having openingsY formed therethrough through which said wedge elements extend, and thewalls oi' said openings being adapted to engage the tapered surfaceportions of said wedge elements when the nuts are screwed inwardiy withrespect to the screwthreaded end portions of said body member in amanner to force said wedge elements into tight gripping contact with theconductor end portions located between said pairs oi wedge elements,longitudinal movement of said wedge elements relative to the openings ofsaid body member in which they are arranged being prevented by thecontact of said wedge elements with opposite faces of the wall 10. catedbetween said openings.

6. A connector comprising a bodyr member having a pair of opposedexternally screwthreaded end portions in which openings having smoothwalls are formed, said openings respectively being oi substantiallyconstant diameters throughout their lengths and being separated by awall therebetween at the inner ends of said openings, pairs of wedgeelements of arcuate cross-sectional shape and provided with taperedsurface portions,

aaaaaes a Pair of said wedge elements being adapted to be arranged inassembled embracing relation with respect to an end portion of each of apair o! conductors and said end portions of said conductors and thepairs ot wedge elements assembled therewith being adapted to beintroduced respectively into the openings oi the opposed externallyscrewthreaded end portions of said body member with the inner ends ofsaid pairs of wedge eiements in contact engagement with the oppositefaces ot the wall between said openings. nuts screwthreadedly mounted onthe opposed externally screwthreaded end portions oi' said body member,said nuts being provided with wal1 portions having openings iormedtherethrough through which said elements extend, and the walls oi' saidopenings being adapted to engage the tapered surface portions of saidwedge element; when the nuts are screwed inwardly with respect to thescrewthreaded end portions of said body member in a manner to force saidwedge elements into tight slipping contact with the conductor endportions located between said pairs of wedge elements. and pairs of ribsformed on the inner faces of said wedge elements. said ribs providlngcavities at the inner faces of said wedge elements into which parts ofthe end portions or the conductors are spread so as to increase thegripping eii'ect between the wedge elements and the conductors,longitudinal movement of said wedge elements relative to the openings oisaid body member in which they are arranged being prevented `by thecontact of said wedge elements with opposite faces of the wall locatedbetween said openings.

FRANK M. KRATOVILLE.

